Texas trooper charged in Sandra Bland case surrenders

HEMPSTEAD, Texas (AP) — The Texas state trooper charged with perjury in the arrest of Sandra Bland has turned himself in to authorities.

Brian Encinia surrendered Thursday afternoon at the Waller County Jail and his bond was set at $2,500.

A grand jury indicted Encinia a day earlier on a misdemeanor perjury charge for allegedly lying about the circumstances of his arrest of Bland last summer. If convicted he would face up to one year in prison and a $4,000 fine.

Messages left with the Encinia's attorney Thursday have not been returned.

The 28-year-old Bland was stopped in July for an improper lane change. She was arrested on suspicion of assaulting the trooper. Authorities say Bland hanged herself in her jail cell several days later.